July 31, 2008	Thursday	Rajab 27, 1429

SIALKOT, July 30: The Government Murray College, the alma mater of Allama Muhammad Iqbal, has been facing shortage of teaching and clerical staff, classrooms and even basic facilities since long.

Aside from this, the 119-year-old building is in dire need of repair and funds to the tune of Rs10 million are required for the purpose.

The college has only 42 classrooms for around 6,000 students and there is an immediate need for at least 15 more classrooms to solve the space crunch problem.

Several posts of teachers of different disciplines, including two of assistant professor (biology), one each of chemistry, mathematics, physical education, physics and commerce lecturers, three of assistant professor (economics), three of assistant professor (physics), one of assistant professor (political science), two of assistant professor (statistics) and three of assistant professor (Urdu) have been lying vacant since long.

The college has the total sanctioned strength of 99 teachers, but the enrolled teaching staff is only 67 which is burdening both teachers and students alike.

Similarly, the college has the library, but without a librarian, which sheds light the importance the education department attaches to its utility.

In addition, seats of a superintendent, four junior clerks, one library assistant, two naib qasids, two gardeners, three sweepers and two library attendants are yet to be filled.

Principal Prof Qamar Malik said the college lacked a sports complex which was essential to promote healthy sports activities among students.

He said the college had no computer library and students were forced to get information technology education from private computer institutes.

Immediate appointments of lecturers in the subjects of sociology, Islamiyat, mathematics, psychology, Urdu, Punjabi, commerce, statistics, geography, history, Persian, Arabic, education, business administration, Pakistan Studies and journalism are required in the college, he said.